Abstract:

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of Rhodiola total flavonoids on transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFB) in the rats,and to explore its mechanisms of improving myocardial fibrosis. Methods 5 μg·L-1 TGF-β1 was used to induce the proliferation of CFB to build the cell models of myocardial fibrosis.The cultured CFB were divided into control group,model group,and low,medium,high doses(25,50 and 100 mg·L^-1) of Rhodiola total flavonoids groups.The cells were treated for 48 h,the vitalities of cells were detected by MTT, the levels of collagen proteinⅠ (ColⅠ) and collagen proteinⅢ (Col Ⅲ) in supernatant were measured by ELISA,and the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were detected, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were also measured. Results The MTT results indicated that compared with control group,the cell vitality in model group was significantly increased (P<0.01). compared with model group, the cell vitalities of CFB in Rhodiola total flavonoids groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05).Compared with control group,the T-SOD activity in model group was decreased,while the MDA level was significantly increased (P<0.05); compared with model group,the T-SOD activities in 50 and 100 mg·L^-1 Rhodiola total flavonoids groups were increased (P<0.01); the MDA levels in 25 and 50 mg·L^-1 groups were decreased significantly (P<0.05).Compared with control group,the GSH-Px activity and GSH level in model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the GSH-Px activities and GSH levels in Rhodiola total flavonoids groups were increased (P<0.05).Compared with control group, the ColⅠand Col Ⅲ levels in model group were significantly increased (P<0.01); compared with model group, the ColⅠand Col Ⅲ levels in Rhodiola total flavonoids groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion Rhodiola total flavonoids can inhibit the proliferation of rat CFB.The development of myocardial fibrosis may be inhibited by Rhodiola total flavonoids through anti-oxidative stress pathway.

Key words: Rhodiola total flavonoids, myocardial fibrosis, cardiac fibroblasts, transforming growth factor β1